#tahoe-and-mammoth

#tahoe-and-mammoth

Groupthink is real. It can create a false sense of security and reinforce narrow thinking. Don't be afraid to speak up or challenge decisions-being a contrarian can add valuable perspective.

"We're always glad to welcome winter back, and this latest round of snow has ensured there are still great turns to be had as our spring season continues. Late season powder days are a bonus, and with the spring events and deals we have planned, it's not too late to get up here for some great skiing and riding!" - Mike Pierce, Marketing Director, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

We really don't know how it happened. By the time the center's staff were able to reach the site of the Feb. 17 slide, three days had passed and several feet of snow had blanketed the area. Helicopter crews that dumped water and dragged a large, heavy bucket through the snow to prevent body-recovery teams from getting hit by additional avalanches had further obscured evidence of the deadly slide.

"As we wrap up the season, I want to thank our loyal guests who showed up smiling day in and day out to support their local hill. I also want to thank our dedicated staff whose immense efforts and pride in their work kept Eldora running all season long. We hope everyone comes to celebrate the season with us this weekend." - Andrew Gast, Eldora's president and general manager.

Whitefish/Kalispell, Montana: United Airlines has expanded its direct service from San Francisco to Glacier Park International Airport, a short drive to world-class Whitefish Mountain Resort and the smaller, family-owned Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. You won't find either on the Epic or Icon passes, which means fewer skiers and shorter lift lines. The proximity to Flathead Lake, even larger in surface area than Lake Tahoe, also means stunning views and a phenomenon called snow ghosts when ice crystals form on the pines.

Most years, when storms roll through Southern California during the winter holiday, local mountains transform into a wonderland blanketed in snow. But instead, the recent storms featured relentless rains, bringing a downpour of destruction and disappointment. A woman sits near the North Shore Lookout Point next to Big Bear Lake as Snow Summit is seen in the distance in Big Bear on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.

You won't find either on the Epic or Icon passes, which means fewer skiers and shorter lift lines. The proximity to Flathead Lake, even larger in surface area than Lake Tahoe, also means stunning views and a phenomenon called "snow ghosts" - when ice crystals form on the pines. Both resorts have long, lazy runs for multigenerational skiers and boarders but also challenging terrain for advanced skiers and riders.

Spring in Tahoe rewards timing, and Truckee puts many good options within reach. From downtown, four major resorts sit just minutes away, and about a dozen ski areas are within roughly 45 minutes.

The reservation system will give skiers and riders more confidence that a parking spot will be waiting for them before they even leave home, helping reduce the uncertainty that can come with busy weekend and holiday visits.

Mt. Baker is the PNW's snow vacuum. It's close enough to the Pacific to get storm after storm, and the North Cascades do what they do best: force moist air straight up, wring it out, and bury everything in sight. Maritime storms roll in wet and heavy, then pile up fast when they hit terrain.

When winter takes hold in the Eastern Sierra, the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA) becomes a popular destination for backcountry enthusiasts. Powderhounds flock to this area during the cold winter months, usually with snowmobiles. Shortly after you turn onto Highway 108 (Sonora Pass), the snow starts, and the journey begins. Located seven miles up the snow-covered highway, the BWRA is the gateway to remote and technical terrain in the heart of the Sierra.

Before you start getting any big ideas about jumping chairlifts at your local ski resort, know that this video was carefully orchestrated by Red Bull on a closed course under the close supervision of Mammoth Mountain and should not be attempted by the skiing public.

Sun night (02/15) through Tue night (02/17) is the core punch, and many Sierra mountains can stack 20″-50″ in that window as snow levels crash. Expect a lighter start Sunday night, then snowfall rates ramp up hard Monday night into Tuesday with widespread coverage across Tahoe, the central Sierra, and down into Mammoth. Snow levels begin around 5,000 to 5,500 feet early, then fall into the 1,500 to 2,500-foot range by Tuesday and Tuesday night, which helps keep even lower terrain in play for all-snow.